He was already deteriorating by like 2000-2001. He just didn't show it. He said he blew out a disk while squatting, and he had some other injuries---it's just that they kept mounting, and couple that with his ego---Bam, Broke Down Ronnie

Life is beautiful. but aging is a bitch!!! you can age gracefully, or NOT! You can't stop the aging process, but you can fight a good fight, but your still gona lose in the end. SO accept it graciously. However there are CERTAIN things that you dont need to do, to prove yourself ESPECIALLY One who has made a mark in history, END OF STORY!! They should be so thankful and embrace the fact that they are still able to walk,spend time with those dear to him.Because, Those are the things that are or at least SHOULD BE most important NOW.

I give respect to him as arguably the best Mr. O ever but why so much muscle loss? Many BBers in their late 40s retained most of their muscle and shape. Dennis James is the same age as Ronnie. Benefatto is 55 and retained much of his muscle. Vince Taylor was in his early 50s and looked great still. Is it injuries, nerve issues, something drug/receptor related that has caused the more rapid muscle loss? Sure he may not be training as hard and on less stuff but the extremity atrophy is more than I would have assumed given age. Something for others to realize...the abdominal and organ growth does not go away when you stop competing. Once people get into their 50s and 60s we loose a lot of muscle, it sucks but staying relatively injury free helps.

I know what you mean. He still should be able to keep some great muscle mass even at this age, but my guess is the nerve damage is taking it's toll even more now and his body is just simply burned out.

This just proves that everything he was, wasn't really there. Worthless.An over the top druggie like Coleman or Yates is bound to fall harder than a man that built a real foundation that lasts because what they built is muscle, not fluff.

Did you not get the damn memo? Shawn Ray had said, "What made Ronnie, broke Ronnie."

The man is broken, there is not proof that "everything he was, wasn't really there"...man that is on some strong Haterade Level BS..

There's always a price to pay.... PLAY hard....PAY HARD!! NAHHHHHH BUDDAYY!! I mean yea buddy!! LolRonnie has nothing to prove, he made his mark in BB history..and should be very proud AS MOST. will never reach that level !! but at this point he just needs to sit back and chill in the background, focus on his company and enjoy his time with his family!

These pics don't look very good, I'll admit, but they don't do him justice at all. Anyone who has stood next him or met him recently can attest to the fact that he still looks pretty crazy especially considering the fact that he has had 3 surgeries, 2 on his back and 1 on his neck, in the past 18 months.

Also, his posing routine at the masters nationals was pretty funny - came out with typical Ronnie shades on, a silly ass FLEX string tank and smily face posing suit / shorts. He proceeded to strut around and rip his tank off like hulk did. I was there, the crowd loved it.

As far as all of this "Ruining his legacy" garbage goes - the guy has traveled the earth this year and is currently in the middle of USA tour giving his fans an opportunity to meet him, talk with him, ask him questions, take pics and sign anything they bring up to him (including a toy baby... yeah check his facebook)... I would say that is solidifying his legacy

He'll never physically be vintage Ronnie ever again, everyone including Ronnie knows that, but he continues to support the sport of bodybuilding by attending every major show, giving seminars overseas to help grow the sport internationally and giving athletes exposure in areas of low publicity that may otherwise go unknown. (Ex just sponsored a Chinese BB http://tinyurl.com/csgpswg ) Here is a pic of him recently..like I said, still pretty impressive to stand next to.

These pics don't look very good, I'll admit, but they don't do him justice at all. Anyone who has stood next him or met him recently can attest to the fact that he still looks pretty crazy especially considering the fact that he has had 3 surgeries, 2 on his back and 1 on his neck, in the past 18 months.

Also, his posing routine at the masters nationals was pretty funny - came out with typical Ronnie shades on, a silly ass FLEX string tank and smily face posing suit / shorts. He proceeded to strut around and rip his tank off like hulk did. I was there, the crowd loved it.

As far as all of this "Ruining his legacy" garbage goes - the guy has traveled the earth this year and is currently in the middle of USA tour giving his fans an opportunity to meet him, talk with him, ask him questions, take pics and sign anything they bring up to him (including a toy baby... yeah check his facebook)... I would say that is solidifying his legacy

He'll never physically be vintage Ronnie ever again, everyone including Ronnie knows that, but he continues to support the sport of bodybuilding by attending every major show, giving seminars overseas to help grow the sport internationally and giving athletes exposure in areas of low publicity that may otherwise go unknown. (Ex just sponsored a Chinese BB http://tinyurl.com/csgpswg ) Here is a pic of him recently..like I said, still pretty impressive to stand next to.

If this is you ronnie I have always being a big fan you might no longer be in your prime but you are still a big dude.

First I saw pics of Ronnie guest posing with shorts and tank top on and I thought he looked good. But when he got down to posing trunks, not a pleasing look at all. One thing that hits me is that these guys should be retiring sooner than they do. For example, Jay should defintely have retired already. He risks lookng like Ronnie in a few years, and Dexter should stop soon. Dexter looks phenomenal right now, and it's a tribute to him that he still looks this great after that many years of competing. Why not retire on a high note and stay on that high note in the future. Maybe guest pose in a year or two looking a little leaner but with pleasing physique. The sport is just not made for super-long stretches at the top with all that goes along with it, and I wonder if it is really worth it if you look like a bucket of distended muscle bellies a few years later? Maybe it is worth it - the money and everyone has their own priorities. But as a fan I wish they knew when a good thing risks going downhill.

Guest Pose--WHY??? Why would Ronnie even want to step on stage looking like that is beyond me -He must actually think he still looks good---and cant face the facts that his competitive days are behind him..way behind him-he needs to focus on other things-like his business his family -didnt he just have another kid at 48 years old--For me its hard to see him like that-No one wants to see that-there comes a time when you gotta hang up the trunks and move on-Ronnie really needs to relize that hes almost fifty and its not helping him being up there looking like a washed up former Mr O.